Holden’s Bill to Provide more Transparency at Mutual Water Company Meetings

By Sentinel News Service

Published September 9, 2015

Assemblymember Chris Holden’s bill to expand access to mutual water companies’ board meetings through the utilization of modern teleconference and internet streaming has passed the Legislature.

AB 1077 strengthens the Mutual Water Company Open Meeting Act by requiring all shareholders to be guaranteed, at a minimum, the right to teleconference into any meeting and prohibiting the water company’s board from meeting exclusively in executive session.

“For too long mutual water companies went unregulated and operated without meaningful oversight,” explained Assemblymember Holden. “AB 1077 is another step in the Legislature’s ongoing efforts to promote good governance and public participation in the decisions made by mutual water company boards by adding a new layer of transparency and oversight to the governance of mutual water companies.

This measure ensures that the Californians who receive water from these companies, including the constituents of mine whose complaints motivated me to introduce this bill, have a voice in the decisions that impact their water rates, quality and service.”

This transparency measure has received bi-partisan support all year and I respectfully request an “aye” vote.

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